Retirement Elevated Podcast with Sean Lee

5 Most Misleading Things in Finance

📞 Get your customized  planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation: https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"
http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Finance is full of shiny objects, and not all of them are helpful. In this episode, Sean reveals the five most misleading tactics people encounter, from slick sales brochures to “guaranteed” returns that sound too good to be true. He explains why these ideas can create false confidence or unnecessary pressure, especially when decisions aren’t grounded in real planning. The takeaway is simple: clarity beats hype every time.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📊 Hypotheticals: projections that rarely reflect reality
🏆 Industry Awards: recognition is often tied to sales volume
⏰ Limited Offers: pressure tactics driven by fear
🎯 Risk Balance: reward only makes sense with context
📝 Written Plans: strategy beats marketing every time
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Unlocking 401(k) Potential with Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts (SDBA)

📞 Get your customized planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation:
https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"
http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
 
Most people never realize their 401(k) might include a powerful option called a Self-Directed Brokerage Account (SDBA), and even fewer understand how it works. Sean breaks down what an SDBA actually is, who qualifies, and why it can open the door to more personalized investment choices inside a traditional retirement plan. If you’ve ever felt boxed in by limited 401(k) options, this episode shows you what’s possible and what to watch out for.
 
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📘 SDBA Basics: what a self-directed brokerage account actually does
💼 More Investment Freedom: how SDBAs expand your 401(k) choices
🧠 Emotional Control: why discipline matters more when you have more options
📈 Market Reality Check: understanding history, volatility, and risk tolerance
✔️ Who Can Use It: how to know whether your employer plan allows SDBAs
 
0:00 – Understanding Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts (SDBA)
3:58 – The BuyLine Strategy & Emotional Investing
6:36 – What Does the BuyLine Matter?
7:19 – Timing, Tariffs, and Historical Market Performance
9:23 – Risk Tolerance & Diversification
10:20 – Qualifications and Availability of SDBA
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

How Would You Invest a Million Dollars?

📞 Get your customized planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation:
https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
 
📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"
http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
 
What should you do if you suddenly had $1 million to invest? Sean looks at how three financial advisors answered that question, and why the real answer isn’t a single portfolio, but a personalized plan. Age, goals, family needs, tax exposure, and your own comfort level with risk all shape what “the right” investment mix looks like. A million dollars can be life-changing, but only if it’s invested in a way that fits you.
 
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💡 Start with the person: why personality and risk tolerance guide every decision
🛡️ Protect before you grow: emergency funds, insurance gaps, and risk buffers
🧭 Build the foundation: deciding what portion (if any) becomes long-term growth money
🧮 Taxes matter: structuring the million in the most efficient way possible
📈 Growth with purpose: aligning investments with time horizon and age
 
Check out the article we referenced: https://www.fa-mag.com/news/have--1m-to-invest--rias-hightower--wellington-altus--poljak-have-thoughts-84240.html
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Do Your Feelings Belong in Your Financial Plan?

📞 Get your customized planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation:
https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"
http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Most people think financial planning is about calculators, spreadsheets, and strategies. But that’s only half the story. The truth is, your feelings about money can have just as much impact on your retirement as the numbers do. In this episode, Sean explores the emotional side of financial planning. At the end of the day, numbers give us the framework, but your feelings help define the plan that truly fits you.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
⚖️ Simplicity vs. Detail: Finding the balance between data and emotional clarity
📉 Market Emotions: Why volatility often triggers impulsive reactions
💳 Debt Decisions: Understanding the emotional side of being debt-free or not
🧠 Behavioral Finance: How awareness helps you make calmer, wiser choices
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

The Hidden Costs of Having Multiple Financial Advisors

📞 Get your customized planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation:
https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"
http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Some people believe having two financial advisors means double the wisdom, but does that really yield double the benefit? Today, Sean explains why working with multiple advisors can create conflicting advice, overlapping investments, and tax inefficiencies. He outlines the few specialized cases where multiple professionals might make sense, but overall, how having one lead advisor keeps your strategy unified.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
⚖️ Pros and Cons: the hidden trade-offs of splitting your money
🧩 Communication Breakdown: how conflicting advice creates confusion
📊 Overlapping Investments: why “more” doesn’t always mean better diversification
🤝 Simplify Your Team: how one lead advisor keeps everything aligned
🎯 Confidence Through Clarity: one voice, one plan, one direction
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

October is Financial Planning Month: Here’s Your Checklist

📞 Get your customized planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation:
https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"
http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
October is known for cooler weather, pumpkins, and Halloween. But did you know it’s also Financial Planning Month? While it might not come with costumes or candy, it’s a perfect reminder to pause, take stock, and be intentional with your money. Today, Sean shares a practical checklist for reviewing your finances, from asking the right questions to writing down your goals and checking in on your spending habits. A little reflection now can go a long way toward making your financial future more secure… and less scary.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📊 Take Inventory: gather all accounts (including those you may have forgotten about)
🎯 Set Milestones: celebrate progress and reward smart savings
🔁 Stay Consistent: small adjustments now create long-term success
🏆 Enjoy the Process: planning is about balance, not restriction
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Should You Take Social Security Early? Let’s Break It Down!

📞 Get your customized planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation:
https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
If your parents died relatively young, it’s natural to wonder what that might mean for your own future. From a financial standpoint, that uncertainty raises tough questions: should it change how you plan for retirement, or when you decide to start taking Social Security benefits? In this episode, Sean unpacks the layers behind the choice to claim early.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📊 Why claiming early depends on more than just life expectancy
🧮 Calculating whether early claiming meets your income needs
🩺 Health care costs before Medicare at 65
💑 The ripple effect on a surviving spouse’s benefits
 
📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"
http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

5 Signs You Might Be Wealthier Than You Think

📞 Get your customized planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation:
https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Most people don’t feel wealthy. But what if your day-to-day habits are quietly building serious financial strength? A recent article from Kiplinger outlined five surprising signs that you might be richer than you think. And none of them involve yachts or private jets. In this episode, Sean analyzes the habits that signal real, lasting wealth and what to do if you are (or aren’t) on the right track.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📉 Living below your means = financial confidence
🎯 Strategic investing turns small steps into big wins
🌟 Multiple income streams build confidence
🕰️ Patience and discipline grow lasting wealth.
 
7 Signs You’re Secretly Getting Rich (and Don’t Even Know It)
https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/signs-youre-secretly-getting-rich-and-dont-even-know-it
 
📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"
http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Big Beautiful Bill Myths Debunked

📞 Get your customized planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation:
https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"
http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Big tax law changes always bring big rumors. But before you assume Social Security is now tax-free or that you’re getting a $40K deduction just for breathing, let’s set the record straight on what this new bill didn’t actually do. In this episode, Sean breaks down the One Big Beautiful Bill and clears up some of the biggest myths still circulating. Confused by headlines or worried you missed out? This episode breaks down what’s real, what’s rumor, and how to plan smarter moving forward.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🧾 Are Social Security taxes going away?
💵 Tax cuts aren’t for everyone
❤️ What’s changed with charitable giving
🚗 The truth about car loan deductions
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Gen X, It’s Time To Think About Retirement

📞 Get your customized planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation:
https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"
http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Generation X, welcome to your retirement wake-up call. In this nostalgic but practical episode, we’re going to take Gen Xers down memory lane and straight into the financial realities of retirement planning. From latchkey kids to financial independence, Gen X has always been resilient. But with more debt, less time, and fewer pensions than previous generations, it’s time to get serious about the future.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🎸 Gen Xers are nostalgic, independent, and entering retirement planning mode.
💸 Many carry high debt and feel financially unprepared—but it’s not too late.
🧠 Gen X bridges analog grit with digital savviness—a strength in planning.
🏠 Downsizing, side hustles, and late-stage saving can help close retirement gaps.
📈 It’s time to turn independence into a retirement game plan with real strategy.
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com